Page 165 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

* * *

The carriage drew up before Longbourn shortly after three.

Hill admitted the two gentlemen and showed them into the drawing room, where Mrs. Bennet sat with her five daughters.

“Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, ma'am. They have called to speak with Mr. Bennet.”

Elizabeth's sewing slipped from her fingers.

Darcy entered behind Bingley.

For several seconds, neither of them moved.

Elizabeth stared at her husband as he stood tall and handsome at the entrance to the room. How she longed to touch his dear face, to hear his voice, and to lay her head against his chest and listen to the steady beating of his heart.

Nothing had prepared her to see her husband enter her mother's drawing room as a distant stranger.

Darcy recovered first. He bowed to Mrs. Bennet.

“I beg your pardon for calling without an introduction, madam. Mr. Bingley is considering the lease of Netherfield Park, and the steward suggested that Mr. Bennet might be willing to answer a few questions about the estate and neighborhood.”

Mrs. Bennet's astonishment immediately became interest.

“Netherfield Park? Oh! Then you must certainly speak with my husband. Hill, go and tell Mr. Bennet that two gentlemen have called upon him.”

Hill had scarcely left before Mrs. Bennet began introducing her daughters.

“My eldest, Jane. Then Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine, and Lydia.”

Darcy bowed as each name was spoken.

When Mrs. Bennet reached Elizabeth, his eyes met hers.

“Miss Elizabeth.”

“Mr. Darcy.”

Bingley was already speaking to Jane. “I hope you will forgive our intrusion. We are only in the neighborhood for the day and hoped to obtain some information before we leave.”

“You are fortunate, sir. Papa is in his study.”

“Then our timing is better than I deserve. Darcy has been warning me that I ought to learn something about Netherfield before deciding to live there.”

Mrs. Bennet laughed. “You will find it a very fine estate, Mr. Bingley. Everyone says so.”

“Then I am encouraged.”

Elizabeth retrieved her sewing from the floor. Her fingers would not cooperate with the needle, and after two attempts she laid it aside.

Darcy had not missed the movement.

Lydia had been studying the gentlemen with open curiosity. “Are you really going to live at Netherfield, Mr. Bingley?”

“I am considering it.”

“Oh, you must take it! Our prospects are improving wonderfully. We have Mr. Wickham to dance with now, and if you reside at Netherfield, sir, you will be a most welcome addition.”

“Lydia,” Jane said.